Controversial former CFMEU boss John Setka has been arrested and charged after allegedly sending threatening and abusive emails to the union’s administrator.

The union heavyweight was arrested on Wednesday morning by state and federal police at his Footscray home, where officers seized a phone and an iPad.

Police allege Setka sent a number of threatening, offensive and abusive emails to a CFMEU administrator following a production notice sent on October 27 and a follow-up letter sent the next day.

The 61-year-old has been charged with seven counts of using a communications device to menace, harass and offend.

He quit after 12 years as head of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union in Victoria in 2024 after a Nine investigation into criminal links within the construction

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